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Updated on
May 27, 2007,
S.S.
asks from
North Olmsted, OH
on
May 11, 2007

Vbacs

Hi. I was reading the posts about the pros/cons of inducing labor and it got me thinking. I too was induced (my choice) about 2 days after my due date. We did the cervadil, pitocin, epidural, etc. I was about 6cm and didn't progress much after that. Before I knew it, everyone was running around, getting set up for the C-section. They said the pitocin was causing my baby 'distress'. But now that I look back on it, I think it was only because it was a bit rushed and my body (and baby) wasn't ready yet. My question is, what are my chances of having a vaginal birth the next time around? Do doctors prefer to do repeat C-sections? Is there anything unsafe about trying for vaginal after a C-section?

So What Happened?™

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my posting on VBACs. I can't believe how much I learned from all of you! You've made me think of things I would have never thought of on my own and how really unprepared I was when I had my son. So many questions I should have asked! I know a few of you recommended a midwife, I actually did have a midwife but looking back, I'm now realizing how much influence the OB/GYN of the office had on her. I thought I had done enough research on inductions, etc. to feel comfortable going through with one, but I don't think I quite understood the potential consequences of it. (That and I regret somewhat doing it for convenience. Clearly a woman's mind is all a fog during pregnancy!) I will keep everyone's advice in mind for the future. Thank you.

Featured Answers

E.O.
answers from
Youngstown
on
May 12, 2007

S.,

Thanks for posting this. I had the same problem as you, and I HATED the C-Section. Really hated it. So reading the responses has given me hope! Thanks for sharing, because it eased my mind.

More Answers

K.T.
answers from
Columbus
on
May 13, 2007

I had a c-section with my oldest daughter in 2004 (at 36-1/2 weeks) because I had dangerously high blood pressure, to the point that the baby and I were both in potential jeopardy. When I got pregnant with my second daughter (who just turned one on May 9th), one of the first things the doctor told me is that his/their practice no longer did VBACs ... which meant I didn't have a choice if I stayed with that doctor. I opted for another c-section.

My sister had a c-section with her first child after hours and hours and hours of labor with no progress, and then opted to try VBAC with her second. Unfortunately, her body handled her second labor the same way and she ended up with another c-section. When it came time to deliver her third, she went straight for the c-section.

S.,
Depending what kind of incision was made, horizontal or vertical, for your C-section you most certainly can have a VBAC! (There are other factors they will take into account as well, but if I recall correctly, this was one of the major ones.)

Some hospitals/doctors will not "allow" a VBAC, but in my opinion this just says that they do not have a qualified staff. Our bodies were made to give birth vaginally and it amazes me that just within the past few years, relatively speaking, how many C-sections have been "medically required." If you are really wanting to have a VBAC, please don't let a doctor tell you it's not possible. Look around for someone who is competent enough to do it.

Sorry if any of this sounds harsh, I'm just pretty scepticle of medical professionals. Yes, I gave birth in a hospital with my first baby and will be giving birth in a hospital with my 2nd baby in November. However, I have switched doctors & hospitals for this 2nd pregnancy since I didn't think the first was very interested in me as a patient or a person.

I guess the point is, make sure you're educated about your choices and possibilities. Good luck!

You will want to talk to your doctor. Some hospitals have policies that don't allow VBACs. My cousin didn't have a choice.
My doctor told me that it was up to me. I just found out yesterday that I will have a second c-section in about a month. Baby #1 was 10 1/2 pounds and baby #2 is 6 1/2 pound with 6 weeks to go.

I had a C-Section w/ my 1st child (not by choice), and did have 2 very successful VBAC's after that!!!!!
However, it is between you and your doctor and the risks for everyone are different.... I had did have to be monitored closely, during my 1st VBAC (for several different reasons, not due to the previous C-Section)...

I had a c-section with my first because he got stuck in my birth canal as I was trying to push him out. VERY PAINFULL!!
I had an emergency c-section and he was 9lbs 1ounce. Which is huge for my very short very small body. When I got pregnant with my second child I told my Dr that I wanted to try to deliver vaginally. He was very supportive and said that if I wanted to try he would but here are the stipulations (this was my Dr so yours may feel different, but its good info.)
He said that he would not induce me since I had had a previous section. The strain an induction puts on a uterus that has been sectioned increases the risk of a rupture. So I would have had to go into labor on my own. Which brought us to another problem... he said that the possibility of a woman going into labor on her own after being induced before is low. Not impossible, just low. And if I waited until I finally went into labor and I had another HUGE baby in me, did I want to go thru all that pain to just end up having another section?
I decided to wait until my ultrasound at 36 weeks to see how big they thought the baby was until I made my decision. Baby was already 7 pounds. Which meant if I went another 4 or 5 weeks I was looking at another big baby and the odds were against me. I opted for the second c-section. Ive had 3 now.
Also he said that little girls tend to be smaller so thats something to keep in mind... we didnt know the sex of our second one, which ended up being a girl. I delivered at 38 weeks and she was 7lbs 14 ounces. The last one also a girl at 8lbs 1 ounce, also 2 weeks early. Still pretty big babies if I had gone full term.....
In the end I think that its a great idea and if you are up for it and the circumstances are right then go for it. I would just make sure you had all the information first so you can make the best decision thats right for you and your hubby!
C-sections recovery is terrible in my opinion and no one wants to be cut open over and over again, but you have to do whats best for you and your baby.
Good luck!

Hi...I had exactly the same thing happen to me with my son...he was born in November (due the 5th, induced on the 7th), because my Dr. was very busy and she thought that if i didn't go into labor soon enough she wouldn't have any induction dates open the next week. So anyway, afte 18 hours of labor with the pitocin, i had only dilated to 2cm. i had an epiural to try to speed things up, and it didn't work. the baby's heartbeat started to slow down, and i had a choice to wait a little longer or have the cesarian. since it was 4am and i was tired and very concerned for my baby, i had the cesarian...I am now pregnant again...and i am wondering if i can have VBAC. I don't even know if my uterus has had time to fully heal...does anyone know if this is too risky to even try for? my baby will only be about 13 months when the next baby is born!

As long as you didn't have any serious complications with your c-section you should be able to have a vaginal delivery the next time around. Tons of women do the VBACs and have no complications with so ever. Hope this helps.

VBACs are safe and very much a possibility. You may have to do some "shopping" for a Dr willing to work with you-but they are out there. You'll get a lot of mis-information regarding the risks of VBACs-do your own research and come to your own conclusions about what is right for you. My sister had a similar situation with her first born-unnecesary medical intervention to start labor that eventually led to an unwanted c-sec. She had two more children-all born via C-sec. She finally found a Dr that let her deliver VBAC for her fourth child. So if VBAC is safe after three C's dont let anyone tell you its not possible after one. I say all this assuming you are healthy and go on to have an uncomplicated pregnancy. As long as there are no extenuating circumstances there's no reason you cant get a VBAC if its what you truely desire-it just may require a bit of effort on your part.

I had a c-section with my little girl because she was breech and I will have a c-section with my next baby. I just feel that there is no good reason to risk uterine rupture. There are doctors who are very supportive of VBAC's because the risks are low, but they are still ery real. I'm just not willing to chance my life and my baby's life. On the other hand, there are also risks with repeat c-sections. I guess my advice is to find a doctor you are comfortable with and trust his opinion. I am a L&D nurse and I don't know any doctor that doesn't want their patient to be safe and happy. Good luck with everthing!

My first child was delivered by c-section, not by choice. My daughter just wouldn't come out, even though we could see the top of her head. She ended up being stuck because her arm was up next to her head. At 7yo, she still sleeps with her arm up. Anyway, with both my 2nd and 3rd I was given the option of a c-section. I opted for VBAC because there truly wasn't a medical reason for the initial c-section, just prolonged labor. Both of my sons were born by VBAC without any problems. I guess it's up to you and your dr. Just remember that a c-section is considered major surgery. Just because your recovery might have been easy the first time doesn't mean it will be the second. Also, not only will you have a newborn to take care of, but also the older sibling too, unlike the first time around. Those were definitely factors for me when deciding.

I think you should trust your instincts (and I think you are right)! God/nature has not made humans for all this time to suddenly in the last 50 years have so many "problems" giving birth. Women are designed to give birth vaginally when given the chance. The World Health Organization estimates that only 10% (or less) of births have a true medical need for a c-section. Unfortunately, the c-section rate in the U.S. is one of the highest in the world at 25-30%. Visit the ICAN (International Cesaerian Awareness Network) website at www.ican-online.org for tons of great information on having successful vaginal births after a c-section. Best Wishes!

Hi I had a c-section with my first baby because he just didn't want to stay down (he crowned twice). so when I was pregnant with my second child I really wanted to try a VBAC, I talked with my doctor about it and had him give me the pros and cons - I ended up decided to go ahead with another c-section because of one particular con - there is the risk that your uterus could burst during labor and you would end up having to have an emergency c-section anyway. That scared me and I didn't want to put my husband through the stress of having to choose between me or the baby (please know that this con is worst case scenario and I was 32 when I had my second child) That being said, I know of many women who have successfully had VBACs and I'm sure that I could have too, I was just not mentally strong enough to try.

My advice is talk to your doctor about it because he will know your situation regarding why you had the c-section the first time, then way the pros and cons because there really is a lot of pros to having a VBAC - quicker recovery time being the major one especially with already having an older sibling to take care of too - you don't get as many naps this time around.

If you had a low "bakini" line cut that goes side to side (vs. up and down) you should have no problems having a VBAC. You can not if it is up and down. Many things could have caused the baby to go into distress. As long as you weren't induced for health reasons (gestational diabetes, pre eclampsia) and you don't have these health problems with the second one, there is no reason at all to not try for the VBAC.

I have had four children my first labor resulted in a c-section due to fetal distress but my other three deliveries were vaginal (VBACs) I had no problems at all you just need to make sure you have a supportive doc, some docs say once a c-section always a c-section but nowadays most doctors before VBACS.

There is a chance you can have a vbac. My friend was going to have one, but it had not been long enough since her last c-section. Her doctor said a vbac would have been very possible for her case, but they like to wait two years after the previous c-section to try the vbac. Some women cant have a vbac for different reasons, but you may be able to. So I would has your doctor if he preforms vbacs. They are however a little more risky, becuase it is possible with the strain of labor to cause a problem with wear your tissue scar is. Good luck with all!

To be completely honest, you'd probably have a better outcome choosing a midwife for your prenatal care/delivery than an OB. I've not heard of an OB around here that will do more in reality than offer a woman lip service about having a VBAC. They are just very unlikely to do it for a variety of reasons. I'm with a midwife this time & it's an amazing/empowering change over last time.

If you are not familiar with The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN), please do check out their web site. - http://www.ican-online.org/ - It's full of very interesting & useful information. They do have a local chapter that meets monthly at the Brooklyn Branch of the Cuyahoga Co. Public Library. The women there are very supportive. The local web site doesn't seem to be working, but the contact person is listed.